COVID cases climb despite vaccine milestone
Good morning, Daily Briefing readers. Two hundred million Americans are now fully vaccinated against COVID-19, but there's a worrying spike in cases. President Joe Biden will rally more than 100 nations against authoritarianism at the first-ever White House Summit for Democracy. The late Sen. Bob Dole will lie in state in the U.S. Capitol. And a big part of the country could see up to 12 inches of snow – great news for skiers, but a headache for travelers.
It's Steve and Jane with Thursday's news.
🦠 Even before the omicron variant establishes a firm foothold in the U.S., coronavirus infections and hospitalizationsare soaring again.
🔥 A father and son were arrested in connection with the start of California's Caldor Fire which burned for more than two months in El Dorado County and threatened the Lake Tahoe area earlier this year.
✈️ Wanna get away? Southwest Airlines announced that it will introduce a "new fare product" midway through 2022.
💜 A "dynamic periwinkle blue hue with a vivifying violet-red undertone": Pantone's 2022 color of the year – Very Peri – symbolizes how COVID-19 has transformed the world.
💔 One of the most high-profile couples in sports media are calling it quits. ESPN's Jalen Rose filed for divorce from "First Take" moderator Molly Qerim.
🥰 One is like a saint to the homeless, the other is the magical mentor of young athletes. Who’s most deserving of the Humankind Person of the Year Award? Tune in tonight at 7 p.m. ET.
🎧 On today's 5 Things podcast, health inequities reporter Nada Hassanein explains how abortion could soon be banned in some form in a majority of states. You can listen to the podcast every day on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or on your smart speaker.
Here's what's happening today:
Summit for Democracy to tackle threats 'through collective action'
President Joe Biden's two-day Summit for Democracy is set to begin Thursday with 111 countries in attendance. Biden organized the virtual summit to rally nations against authoritarianism. Its stated mission is to "set forth an affirmative agenda for democratic renewal" and to tackle threats against democracies "through collective action." But the invitation list has raised questions – both in Congress and abroad. Countries like Iraq and the Republic of Congo, with questionable human rights records, were invited while Hungary, a member of the European Union, and Turkey, a NATO member, were not invited to participate.
🌏 Opinion: Secretary of State Antony Blinken on why Biden is convening a Summit for Democracy.
The late Sen. Bob Dole to lie in state in the US Capitol
Memorial events celebrating the late Sen. Bob Dole start Thursday in Washington and end over the weekend in his home state of Kansas. Dole died Sunday morning in his sleep at the age of 98, prompting an outpouring of support and memories from political figures across the country. The former presidential candidate will lie in state Thursday in the U.S. Capitol. President Joe Biden will join Dole's widow, former Sen. Elizabeth Dole, and daughter, Robin, along with congressional leaders at a private ceremony that starts at 10 a.m. ET in the Rotunda. Dole's casket will arrive at the Capitol just before the ceremony and will remain for 24 hours. The Capitol will not be open for public viewing. A funeral service takes place Friday at Washington National Cathedral, with Biden and former presidents expected to attend.
Just for subscribers:
🚨 Surfside condo building collapse: Rescuers heard her voice, but could not save her from the rubble. Then, officials buried her story.
⚖️ With Roe v. Wade in peril in the Supreme Court, abortion-rights activists ask: Where are the men?
📱 "I don't participate": Black people use Facebook more than anyone. But increasingly they are pulling away from the world's largest social media platform.
🚘 Looking for longevity? Here are 10 vehicle models that can go 200,000 miles – and potentially many more.
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Trial of Kim Potter for death of Daunte Wright to resume in Minneapolis
The manslaughter trial of former Minneapolis police officer Kim Potter will continue Thursday. Jurors heard opening statements from prosecutors and Potter's defense team Wednesday. Prosecutors say Potter committed first- and second-degree manslaughter in the death of Daunte Wright. "This case is about the defendant, Kim Potter, betraying her oath, betraying her badge, and betraying her trust," Prosecutor Erin Eldridge said. Defense attorneys say the shooting was an "accidental and mistaken discharge," according to court filings. "She made a mistake. This was an accident. She’s a human being. And she had to do what she had to do to prevent a death of a fellow officer,” Potter's defense attorney Paul Engh told jurors.
Newsmakers in their own words: Dr. Fauci delivers a vital Santa update
Santa Claus is ready to deliver presents around the world after receiving his COVID-19 booster shot, according to Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's leading infectious disease expert.
That means children around the world can relax and know that Santa is ready to come down the chimney, eat cookies and participate in other traditions this holiday season.
Cross-country winter snowstorm hits central and western US
A swath of central and western U.S. could see up to 12 inches of snow on Thursday and into Friday, bringing an end to snow dry spells and disrupting travel plans. Parts of Nebraska, Iowa, New Mexico, Wisconsin, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Colorado are under winter storm watches and warnings. The cross-country storm isn't likely to evolve into a bomb cyclone as others have earlier this year, Accuweather reported, but it'll likely be strong enough to bring the first significant snow of the season to western mountain ranges like the Colorado Rockies. For some states, especially those with thriving ski industries, the arrival of snow is highly anticipated and sorely needed.
ICYMI: Some of our top stories yesterday
⚖️ Scott Peterson, convicted in the 2002 killing of his wife and unborn child, was resentenced to life in prison without parole after spending more than a decade on death row.
🚢 "Readiness and courage": Coast Guard rescuers in Western New York pulled a body from a car near the edge of Niagara Falls.
🧁 National Brownie Day with a twist: The world's largest pot brownie – weighing in at 850 pounds – was unveiled by Massachusetts-based cannabis company MariMed, Inc.
🎄 Fox Christmas tree fire: A man faces multiple charges after he climbed a decorated Christmas tree outside the Fox News building in New York and set it on fire.
New 'West Side Story' makes its first appearance in theaters
The second film adaptation of the classic Broadway musical "West Side Story" arrives in theaters for its first showings Thursday night before going wide Friday. In New York City circa 1957, the white Jets and Puerto Rican Sharks are rival street gangs fighting for what's left of their diminishing turf as slums are cleared and Manhattan's West Side is built up. When ex-Jet Tony (Ansel Elgort) meets and falls in love with Maria (newcomer Rachel Zegler), the sister of the leader of the Sharks, the two meet wherever they can to keep their relationship a secret. In his ★★★½ out of four review, critic Brian Truitt says that Steven Spielberg, the legendary Oscar-winning director, puts his stamp on the movie musical and Tony winner Tony Kushner's new screenplay brings more life to the cast of personalities outside of its young lovers.
Fact check: Let's get on the same page
✔ The claim: The CEO of BioNTech, a biotechnology company that collaborated with Pfizer to develop COVID-19 vaccines, has not been vaccinated against COVID-19. Our rating: False ❌
✔ The claim: Gasoline is $2.10 in Russia, $0.78 in Kuwait and $0.98 in Saudi Arabia. Our rating: False ❌ These numbers reflect the cost of gas per gallon in March 2005, not currently.
🔵 The claim: USA TODAY's experts will check subscribers' facts if they ask. All they need to do is to send us a text. Our rating: True. Head here to see how you can get your facts checked.
✔ The claim: COVID-19 variant names actually are military codes. Our rating: False ❌ The variants are named after Greek letters.
✔ The claim: Images from 2012 London Olympics' opening ceremony foretold the COVID-19 pandemic. Our rating: False ❌
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📸 Photo of the day: Jennifer Aniston honored at Women in Entertainment gala 📸
Many of the entertainment industry's most influential, inspiring and empowering women gathered Wednesday for the Hollywood Reporter's annual Women in Entertainment gala. Special honors went to Jennifer Aniston, who received the Sherry Lansing Leadership Award, and Selma Blair, who received the Equity in Entertainment Award.
During her acceptance speech, Aniston recalled the day she saw a numerologist and was surprised to discover she was a "late-bloomer," even though she already had been on NBC's "Friends" for 10 seasons. The term grew on her: "You know, maybe I hadn't done my best work yet as an artist or as a human being."
Head here to see the best photos from the Women in Entertainment gala.